We analyzed the functional variation between deciduous and evergreen species to understand the differences across the strategies of avoidance and tolerance to drought. Our study was carried in a fragment of seasonally dry tropical forest located in the city of Pentecoste (3°47‘S, 39°16’W), Ceará, Brazil. We measured 17 functional leaf traits in 17 deciduous and five evergreen species, being 12 morphofunctional, one phenological and four physiological. We found that deciduous species exhibited greater Amass, lower leaf lifespan (LL) and leaf mass per area (LMA) than evergreen species. These traits were considered key predictor traits of avoidance and drought tolerance strategies. Deciduous and evergreen species showed a trade-off between drought tolerance and photosynthetic rate, LL was negatively correlated with Amass. Although we have shown clear differences in LMA and LL not observed significant differences in Aarea and gs, consequently, deciduous species and evergreen species did not find significant differences in WUEi and WUE. Despite substantial variability within the group, all deciduous species fall predominantly in the drought avoidance strategy, while evergreen species display a suite of traits related to drought tolerance.
Phenological groups; drought tolerance; drought avoidance
